News Release

Hawaii DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources)

13. November 2014

A 50 year old Homer, Alaska man, snorkeling in the ocean off Airplane Beach in the Ka’anapali area of West Maui, reported being bitten by a shark at around 1:30 p.m. today.

The man told DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE) officers, that he caught a glimpse of a five-foot long shark, felt a bump, and then immediate pain. He was snorkeling in 20 feet of water and reports that conditions were clear. He doesn’t know how far off shore he was, but swam back to shore. A friend took him to a West Maui clinic and then he was transported by ambulance to Maui Memorial Hospital. He suffered a leg laceration.

DLNR has closed the beach area stretching from Black Rock to the start of Honokowai Beach Park. Officers will reassess conditions in the morning before deciding when to reopen the area.